Guides A-Z

This guide describes IECC 2009 and 2012 and ENERGY STAR Certified Homes insulation requirements.

This guide describes IECC 2015 and DOE Zero Energy Ready Home insulation requirements.

Guide providing information about constructing a roof with full insulation at the eaves, and insulating eaves in existing homes.

Guide describing application of a radiant barrier layer in the attic to block radiant heat transfer between hot surfaces and heat-absorbing surfaces.

Guide describing the use of building cavities as supply or return ducts.

Vapor retarders can be a crucial part of the building envelope and can help manage moisture issues to keep the home dry. However, before installing a vapor retarder, installers must be aware that in some instances vapor retarders can increase the likelihood of condensation issues.

Guide describing design and installation of compact duct systems for central heating and cooling systems.

Guide describing how ice dams form and how roofs can be constructed to prevent them.

This guides describes buried ducts in loose-fill attic insulation, a method that can only be used in dry climates.

This guide describes approaches to buryng and encapsulating ducts in unconditioned attics to increase the overall R-value of duct insulation.

Guide describing how to air seal and insulate the floor above an unconditioned basement or crawl space.

Vapor retarder plastic should not be installed over fibrous insulation on basement or crawlspace walls unless rigid foam or spray foam is installed directly against the concrete, behind the blanket insulation.

Guide describing how to apply heavy membranes at eaves in cold climates to help guard against ice dams.

Guide describing how to insulate slabs on grade in climate zones 4 and higher.

Guide describing how to hang ducts with supporting straps or saddles to adequately support ducts so they do not sag and are not pinched or compressed in a manner that would cause damage to the ducts, the duct insulation, or the duct air barrier covering.

Guide describing methods for insulating an unvented attic along the roof line.

Guide describing a method for insulating an unvented attic by spraying foam insulation along the underside of the roof deck.

Guide describing how to install ventilation air inlets in open locations at a safe distance from potential air contamination sources.

Guide describing how to design a water-efficient landscape that will minimize the need for supplemental water by using the WaterSense® Water Budget Tool.

Guide describing additional requirements for HVAC systems in warm-humid climates to operate in a dehumidification mode to maintain indoor relative humidity at or below 60 percent.

Guide describing the types of whole-house fans, installation details to reduce energy loss, and how to operate them for comfort and energy savings based on climate zone.

This guide describes how to install a whole-building ventilation system to provide adequate dilution of indoor air contaminants.

Guide describing wind washing and how to prevent it.